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Sneak peek: The Accuser

February 20, 2013 11:48 AM

SPECIAL TIME: Ryan Ferguson is serving 40 years for murder. Now his accuser, Charles Erickson, says it was all a lie. Can "48 Hours" help him get his life back? Erin Moriarty reports Saturday, Feb 23 at 9/8c on CBS.

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by bentleyl February 27, 2013 3:58 PM EST
this is so sad, I have witnessed similar and it breaks my heart. God Bless you Ryan
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by creditcarddiva February 27, 2013 1:46 PM EST
A cautionary tale for anyone serving on a jury.
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by JopT11 February 26, 2013 4:13 AM EST
How horrible, I hope you get out of prison soon.
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by lawnjo February 23, 2013 10:31 PM EST
There is something terribly wrong with that judge. Someone should do a background check to see if he had any previous issues with Ryan's family. With all the information presented he still stands by his decision. He cannot acknowledge an injustice if it hit him in the face. How the hell does he sleep at night???

To Ryan: Keep the faith son. You are where you are for a reason unknown to us all. Just hang in there and keep the faith. You will be in my prayers and when you are finally a free man, I hope CBS will broadcast your release and that I will be able to see it. God Bless you son.
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by peghox February 23, 2013 10:27 PM EST
How do the prosecutors, police and Judge Green slept at night? This is story is horrifying but unfortunately, not all that uncommon. This is not justice in any sense or by anyone's standard. Third World countries do a better job because they do not attempt to hide behind any pretense that they are seeking justice. Apparently all it takes to convict someone of murder is to level an accusation. The less reputable the person is who is making the accusation, the easier it is for the police to manipulate the accuser to repeat the story they have fed him as was the case with Cahles Erikson. I feel bad for him as well.....he's almost as much of a victim as Ryan and of course Mr. Heiholt. I am deeply saddened by Ryan's situation and what his family has endured. I am also disillusioned that that justice for Mr. Heiholt has never been achieved. His family & loved ones can't be feeling very confident that the right person has been convicted. I sincerely doubt that the police & prosecutors believe it either. But while they stand their ground claiming they're convinced Ryan committed the murder, the actual killer is still on the loose ....a very chilling and depressing thought.
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by kplaa February 23, 2013 10:26 PM EST
How tragic that a young man's life is determined by the facts seen tonight on 48 hours. I was looking forward to seeing his release at the end of the show and was horrified to see the outcome as decided by one man, the judge in the appeal. It really is sickening and my heart goes out to Ryan and his family. I agree with Ryan's lawyer, it is hard to have faith in such a system. I am trying to reach Erin Moriarty to express my one vote in favour of Ryan - it seems to be such a miscarriage of justice. I do believe Ryan and think it was very apparent that he was finally coming clean, with nothing to gain from his confession. Boys club, indeed. The now judge who more or less swayed Charles and coached him into his first confession was intimidating and a bully. Small, small mind and a coward, no doubt. Trying to save face. It truly is despicable. I really hope that Ryan will be freed at some point (soon). He seems like a profound, decent human being who no doubt has a lot to offer this world. Please don't give up Ryan.
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by DawnRD February 23, 2013 10:24 PM EST
This case is a travesty. I am so angry with the judge who is obviously protecting his "own", i.e., the prosecutor, the police dept., and the city where Ryan was prosecuted. All of these entities would probably be liable for the shabby way that they handled the case, convicting an innocent man. Let's face it, it would cost all of these entities a LOT of money for a wrongful conviction. Just easier to let a young, innocent young man rot in jail. This case needs to be appealed in a higher court, if that is possible, out of reach of this set of prosecutors, police dept. and the city.
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by jussoli February 23, 2013 10:24 PM EST
cannot also blame the jury -- the judge is permitted to overturn their decision but most are elected and just too wormy to make a decision that might peeve off the voters. I believe Ryan has been accused wrongly and shame on that judge for failing to correct immediately ... fair trial is fiction. Only fair thing about it is if you are rich (oh yea ... and famous is good to be also) then you can get the fair trial.
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by n735 February 23, 2013 10:10 PM EST
The Missouri judge should be ashamed. His body language, as seen on the show, demonstrated that his mind was made up and nothing that was going to be said or shown would change it. I don't understand how he and the prosecution who were a part of this can say that this man had anything to do with this murder. There is nothing, NOTHING linking him with the murder, regardless of the other liar's testimony. Shame on the state of Missouri for this travesty of injustice. Another reason to stay away from that state!
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by n735 February 23, 2013 10:08 PM EST
The Missouri judge should be ashamed. His body language, as seen on the show, demonstrated that his mind was made up and nothing that was going to be said or shown would change it. I don't understand how he and the prosecution who were a part of this can say that this man had anything to do with this murder. There is nothing, NOTHING linking him with the murder, regardless of the other liar's testimony. Shame on the state of Missouri for this travesty of injustice. Another reason to stay away from that state!
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